An Inspector Calls (2015)

Directed by: Aisling Walsh | 90 minutes | crime, drama | Actors: David Thewlis, Miranda Richardson, Ken Stott, Finn Cole, Chloe Pirrie, Sophie Rundle, Kyle Soller, Flora Nicholson, Gary Davis, Wanda Opalinska

A wealthy family prepares for a festive evening. A happy event is being celebrated. But the moment it threatens to get cozy, unannounced visitors throw a spanner in the works. That’s the succinct summary of ‘An Inspector Calls’.

The police inspector in question is inspector Goole (a delightful role by David Thewliss). It is he who comes to ruin the party at the Birling house. Papa Arthur (Ken Stott), mama Sybil (Miranda Richardson), daughter Sheila (Chloe Pirrie), son Eric (Finn Cole from “Peaky Blinders”) and soon-to-be son-in-law Gerald (Kyle Soller from “Poldark”) all face independent trials felt after Goole informed them that a young woman committed suicide.

This Eva Smith was once a solid employee. She was fired by textile magnate Birling for ‘stirring unrest’ (a strike to raise wages). She appears to have had a connection with everyone present. One by one they are interrogated by Goole. One story turns out to be even more surprising than the next. The common denominator, according to Goole, is that they were all responsible in their own way for her unfortunate passing. At the end of his very penetrating and unique interrogation session, he says, “You each helped to kill her. Do not forget that. People need to look after each other a little more. Ultimately, we are all responsible for each other.”

Eva turns out to have entrusted all her soul-movements to a diary, so we get to see all her adventures with the ‘suspects in the room’ first-hand chronologically. After Goole’s departure, everyone involved is filled with shame. Everyone immediately blames each other. Eric and Sheila, in particular, are fed up with their parents’ arrogant attitude. Arthur nevertheless fears for his status: “If this comes out, it will not do our reputation any good. We are being slaughtered in public.” And also: “I think I can write that knighthood on my stomach. Sheila sums up the interrogation aptly: “It was as if he could see into our souls.”

Arthur refuses to throw in the towel. Out of suspicion, he calls the befriended police chief to inquire about Goole. Gerald then calls the hospital to be absolutely sure. When they hear that no young woman was brought in that day who would have committed suicide, they think they have escaped the dance. They go over to the ‘order of the day’. But then the phone rings again. The hospital. There is a police inspector on his way who would like to ask some questions…

‘An Inspector Calls’ is set in England in 1912, before the First World War. It is a time when the upper class had no idea how hard it is for the rest of the population. Only your own little world matters. This film, originally a play by JB Priestley and first filmed in 1954, makes that painfully clear. Mother Sybil in particular turns out to be a hard-hearted lady, who has no compassion at all. Almost all characters give a thorough interpretation. But it is mainly Thewliss who takes the cake, with ‘good old’ Miranda Richardson as a close second. Her character is really to shoot at… All in all, ‘An Inspector Calls’ is a very special viewing experience with special twists. Secrets, scandals and reputational damage. How much is a human life worth? When do we take our responsibility?